Trump concedes to US President-elect Joe Biden, condemns Capitol siege

Donald Trump, in a video message on January 7, conceded to US President-elect Joe Biden. The outgoing Republican president also condemned the acts of violence witnessed when his supporters stormed the US Capitol building a day earlier.

“My focus turns on smooth power transition now. Those who indulged in violence do not represent America,” Trump said in an address that lasted for a little less than three minutes. “To all of my wonderful supporters I want to tell you our incredible journey is just beginning,” he said.

A day after his stormed the capital building in a bid to prevent the US Congress from ratifying Joe Biden’s Electoral College win in the November 3 presidential election, Donald Trump said, “I am outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem.”

“I immediately deployed national guard,” he claimed while adding that the United States of America “is and must always be a nation of law and order”.

Taking a cue from Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also tendered her resignation on Thursday becoming the second Cabinet secretary in the Trump administration to quit in the aftermath of the Capitol violence.

Even as Trump made attempts to defend his position, Michael Sherwin, the acting US attorney for the District of Columbia (DC), said prosecutors plan to file 15 federal cases against Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol building. “All of those charges are on the table. … We will bring the most maximum charges we can,” Sherwin said.

Trouble also seems to be brewing for Donald Trump with Democrats and even some Republicans openly discussing his impeachment. House majority leader Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday, “If Trump not removed under 25th Amendment, Congress may go forward with impeachment.”

Following the violence at the seat of the US government in Washington DC which resulted in the loss of four lives, the head of the US Capitol Police has announced his resignation. Capitol Police chief Steven Sund, who will resign effective January 16, said his department was expecting a free speech demonstration by Trump supporters and not a violent attack.